section four urban problems. urban problems of hong kong traffic congestion

Section Four

Urban problems

Urban problems of Hong Kong

Traffic congestion

Traffic congestionToo many vehicles.Too few roads.Roads are too narrow.Almost half of the

population lives in the New Territories but most job opportunities are found in Kowloon and on Hong Kong Island.

Traffic congestionTherefore, many vehicles

move into urban areas everyday.

Main urban areas are seperated by Victoria Harbour.Traffic is very congested on both sides of the Cross Harbour Tunnel.


Air pollution

Air pollution

Air quality is becoming worse.

Most of the pollutants come from traffic, industries and construction works.

People have higher chance of getting respiratory disease.


Water pollution

Water pollution

Domestic waste water is not treated before it is discharged into the sea.

Waste water contains a lot of bacteria which pollutes seafood.

Waste water from factories contains toxic chemicals and metals which poison marine life, e.g. Chinese White Dolphins.

Some of the beaches become unsuitable for swimming.


Noise pollution

Noise pollution

Noise pollution is mainly caused by:

1. Road traffic and railways.Too many vehicles on the

roads.Buildings are close to

roads and flyovers and railways.

2. AircraftSome people live under

the flight path in areas like Tsuen Wan and Sha Tin are affected by loud noise produced by the passing of aircrafts.


Solid waste

Solid wasteSolid waste is mainly from:Domestic and public

cleansing.Construction.Commercial.Industrial.Most of them are dumped into

landfills.Only some metal, plastic and

paper are recycled.


Urban decay

Urban decayThe buildings in old inner

city are worn out and may collapse.

The facilities are not enough.

Little open space or parks.Bad living conditions.People living there do not

have money to repair the buildings.

Overcrowding

• Limited flat land

• large population

• high population density

Causes of urban problems Population growthHeavy trafficPoor land use planningPeople do not care about the

environment

Population growth Population living in Hong Kong

has been increasing.Reasons:A. Natural increaseWhen there are more births

than deaths.Hong Kong has better sanitary

conditions and medical facilities.

Few babies die after birth and people have longer life.

B.MigrationIt means movement of

people.2 types of movementa. Immigrationb. EmigrationWhen more people

immigrate than emigrate, population will increase.

Problems:Not enough houses.Overcrowding.Facilities may not be

sufficient.

Heavy trafficToo many vehicles.Too few roads.Narrow streets.Buildings are too close

to roads and railways.Problems:Air and noise pollution.

Poor land use planningIn the past, land use

planning was not important.Mixed land use zones are

found.For examples, industries

are found in residential areas.Peoples’ homes are too close to highways or flyovers.

People do not care about the environment

The public (citizens)The factory owners do

not treat the waste water.

The car owners do not fix the cars that black smoke is emitted from their cars.

How does Hong Kong solve its urban problems?

Build new sewage treatment facilities

Water quality

Sewage disposal scheme


Water quality

Set up water control zones and waste water must be treated before discharging it into the zones


Water quality

Use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in taxis

Air quality


New private cars must use unleaded petrol

Air quality


Use cleaner fuel and monitoring stations are set up to check air quality.

Air quality


Build noise shields along busy roads

Noise


Use low noise materials to pave the road surface

Noise


Noise

Air-conditioners are installed in schools windows with two sheets of glass.

Old airport is closed in densely populated areas.

Build new landfills

Solid waste


Recycling of waste such as papers and aluminum cans

Solid waste


Introduction of the Waste Reduction Plan

Solid waste



To reduce population pressure in old urban areas.

Transport development Almost half of the total population

are living in the New Territories. It needs an efficient transport

system.New roads For example, the New Territories

Circular Road links all new towns in the New Territories with Kowloon.

Railways For examples, Airport Railway and

West Rail.


Reclamation around Victoria Harbour

Urban renewal

Yau Ma Tei

The Land Development Corporation is redeveloping the old urban areas.

Sheung Wan

Urban renewal

Reclamation +

Urban renewal= Metroplan

What is metroplan?

section four urban problems. urban problems of hong kong traffic congestion

Documents

environment slide

hong kong island

main urban areas

urban areas everyday

movement of people

domestic waste water

population growth population

road traffic